Inside the Huddle: Safeties

Last year the consensus number 1 safety was Derwin James of Haines City. This year there are two prospects that could fight for the top spot; Savion Smith and Jamel Cook. Both prospects started their careers at different high school. Smith started at Boca Ciega and has since moved on to IMG Academy. Jamel Cook was a youth league legend who started his career at Mater Academy and now plays at Miami Central. We will break down these two safety prospects as well as others who will stand out this fall. 

1-Savion Smith-IMG Academy-6’2-180-(Committed to LSU) –Smith is listed as a safety but could also play cornerback in college. He has the size to match up against pretty much any receiver Smith faces. What you have to like about Smith is even in a 7 on 7 setting he is very physical. He is a safety that is going to come up and play the run. He is also a safety that you put on the hash and ask him to cover half the field. He has good range and his length allows him to make plays even when beaten on a play. Smith is one of the premier safeties not only in Florida but nationally as well. (Comparison: Eric Berry) 

2-Jamel Cook-Miami Central-6’5-190-(Committed to Florida State)-Cook has been on the radar for three years now. He has great size (6’5) and runs very well. Cook also lines up as a cornerback on some plays. He is more suited to playing safety or possibly even linebacker. If he does move closer to the line of scrimmage, you would like to see more from him from a physicality standpoint. We have seen Cook play receiver and you are talking about a top five player at that position as well. (Comparison: Pat Watkins) 

3-Spencer Terry IMG Academy-6’3-205-(Committed to Florida) –Perry is one of the more physically impressive safeties in Florida. He could potentially grow into a linebacker. He is a guy that you put in the box and ask to help in run support. He is not as fluid as Smith and Cook in pass coverage. He is the perfect complement in IMG Secondary to Smith. The two could be part of the best secondary in Florida this season. (Comparison: Landon Collins) 

4-Carlos Becker-Osceola-6’1-190-Becker is another versatile safety who could also play cornerback in college. Becker is a thin framed safety so we don’t expect him to get much bigger in college. He has good length as well as the type of speed and quickness to cover receivers or backs in space. He comes from a program that produces tough football players. (Comparison: Eric Reid) 

5-Korey Charles-North Florida Christian-5’10-170-Charles is not as physically impressive as the players mentioned above. He is built more like a cornerback than a safety. He does give you some versatility as Charles could play even in the slot. He has better coverage skills than some of the guys mentioned above. He is not going to give you as much in run support. (Comparison: Devin McCourty) 

6-Devin Studstill-Palm Beach Gardens-6’1-175-Studstill is a kid who we really like. He has the physical attributes you want in a safety prospect. He has good range. He is not afraid to come up and play the run. Studstill has the ability to play either safety spot and succeed at the next level. (Comparison: Deon Bush) 

7-Alexy Jean Baptiste-Coconut Creek-6’3-200-Alexy is one of the most underrated prospects in Florida this year. Turn on his film and Alexy is making plays all over the field. You can line him up at safety, linebacker or even defensive end and he will make plays. (Comparison: Eric Striker) 

8-Deon Edwards-Lake Minneola-6’1-190-Edwards is another much underrated prospect. We like Edwards because of how fluid he is. You can move him all around the field. He has good coverage skills. You can bring him up and play the run. He is a very good open field tackler. He has good football instincts. You will always see him around the football. When he sees the ball carrier his closing speed is what separates him from other defensive backs. (Comparison: Terrance Brooks) 

9-Jame Pierre-Deerfield Beach-6’2-165-Pierre is a big, long, athletic safety. He has good coverage skills. You will see him want to challenge receivers when going one on one with them. He also has the ability to play the run. We expect his stock to go up this spring. (Comparison: Calvin Pryor) 

10-Val Mayes-Miami Norland-6’1-180-Mayes is one of the more physically impressive looking prospects you will see in person. He has wide shoulders and long arms. He looks like a linebacker off the hoof. He is more of an in the box safety. His strength is coming up and playing the run. Mayes can play the pass but it is not strength of his game. (Comparison: Jamal Carter) 

11-Devin Gil-Flanagan-6’1-200 (Committed to Miami) Gil is a player that is very active in Flanagan secondary. You watch him play and he is either around the ball or making a play on it. He has good coverage skills. He is best suited to playing with the football in front of him. He is not super fluid so receivers that get one on one with him could give him some issues in the open field. He is a sound tackler and can be used as an extra linebacker in the box. (Comparison: Marcel Harris) 

12-Devon Clarke-Osceola-6’3-190-(Committed to Oregon State)-Clarke teams with Becker to give Osceola one of the premiers secondary’s in the state of Florida. He has the size (6’3) and length you want in a safety prospect. He has the frame to add the needed weight possibly end up at weak side linebacker. (Comparison: Dashon Goldson) 

13-Marcus Frazier-Forest Hill-6’2-190-Frazier is a good athlete. You will see him line up at quarterback for Forest Hill. He is a straight line runner. He has the ability to make plays in the open field. We like his versatility and Frazier can line up at multiple positions on the field. (Comparison: Malcom Jenkins) 

14-Romeo Finley-Niceville-6’1-200-Finley is a downhill defender. He is a guy that goes full speed and will knock the dirt off your uninform. He plays hard and does a good job of closing the gap between himself and the offensive player. (Comparison: EJ Biggers) 

Don’t overlook: Rashad Smith-Homestead-6’1-180-(Committed to FAU), Seimeon Smiley-Pensacola Catholic-6’0-190-(Committed to South Alabama), Cycoby Burch-Oakridge-6’1-180, Brandon Drayton-Largo-6’2-175, Troy Hilton-Bayside-6’3-180